The House Committee on Education and the Workforce recently advanced a bill that would require the U.S. Department of Education to release the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by October 1 each year. This bill was presented to resolve the effects of the delayed FAFSA release that caused postponement in college commitment deadlines, and extended time given for students to complete the FAFSA to qualify for state grant programs. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) expressed concerns about the bill forcing a deadline that does not ensure the proper function of the FAFSA form. In response, an amendment was introduced to the bill that requires the Education Department to confirm a release on September 1. To further track the progress of the FAFSA release timeline, the education secretary would be required to testify before congress to provide updates on the form’s progress.
